Chinese firm, Excel-LED Nigeria and its representatives are currently under probe by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged N100 million airport screen contract fraud.
Also reportedly under investigation are the company’s managing director, identified as Sam Lee, who allegedly operates in Nigeria under the name Emmanuel Shoon Patrick; the company’s subsidiaries, Exel LED Optoelectronics and Adsen; and a Nigerian promoter identified simply as Ndubisi.
The probe followed petitions dated December 22, 2025, submitted by the law firm Anosike, Egbuchiwe and Associates to the DSS, EFCC, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The petitions stem from a contract awarded to Excel-LED to supply and install airport-grade LED screens at international airports, including those in Enugu and Port Harcourt.
According to documents made available to journalists, the Nigerian concessionaire, Folio Media Group, alleged that the company received payment for the supply and installation of the screens but failed to deliver the project.
The petition, titled “Formal Petition and Request for Fraud Investigation, Corporate Tax Invasion Scheme with Intent to Economically Sabotage the Government by Mr Emmanuel Shoon Patrick and his Company- Excel-Led Nigeria Against Folio Media in Respect of the FAAN/Folio Led Screen Project at Port Harcourt International Airport,” alleged that project funds were diverted into personal accounts.
The petitioner claimed that initial payments were made to the company’s verified corporate account in China before subsequent transfers were redirected to a Nigerian personal account allegedly belonging to Patrick.
It further alleged that after receiving the payments, the company’s representatives became unreachable while the installation project remained incomplete.
Part of the petition read: “The first three screens arrived on time but failed technical evaluation—one plagued by a persistent issue that sidelined it for six months in Enugu, costing the company and FG millions in lost revenue.
“Payments were redirected from Excel-LED’s China account to Patrick’s personal Nigerian bank account, justified as needed for customs clearance, on-ground costs, and faster transfers.
“But Shoon, posing as CEO of Excel-LED Nigeria Limited, pocketed the advance and fled to China. No delivery. No refund.”
The petitioner also alleged that repeated excuses were offered over production delays and logistics issues without documentary proof, while installation teams allegedly failed to appear on scheduled dates.
Sources familiar with the investigation claimed EFCC operatives tracked some of the suspects to Port Harcourt and later brought them to Abuja for questioning after they allegedly ignored invitations from investigators.
However, Excel Optoelectronics Company Limited and its chief executive officer, Amb. Emmanuel Shoon Patrick, denied all allegations of fraud and financial impropriety.
In a response to earlier media reports, the company described the allegations as misleading, unverified, and damaging to its reputation.
The firm insisted that the matter was purely a commercial dispute and not a criminal case.
It also rejected claims that corporate funds were diverted into personal accounts, leading to tax evasion and project failure.
Excel Optoelectronics accused some media organisations of publishing allegations without seeking the company’s response, describing the reports as a violation of fair hearing and journalistic ethics.
“The claims are a misrepresentation of a private commercial dispute. Neither the company nor its CEO engaged in criminal conduct,” the company stated.
Meanwhile, lawyer Max Uchendu noted that cross-border projects and corporate payments are subject to tax obligations, including withholding tax and Value Added Tax (VAT).
He added that the use of personal accounts in such transactions could create loopholes for tax evasion and revenue losses.
